Denmark is set to introduce a nationwide ban on smartphones in schools as part of a new law aimed at improving student focus and wellbeing, the country’s education minister, Mattias Tesfaye, announced on Tuesday.
Under the proposed legislation, students will not be allowed to use mobile phones or personal tablets during classes or break times. The move aligns with recommendations from a youth wellbeing commission that highlighted the negative impact of excessive screen time on children.
“I believe screens are robbing many of our children of their childhood,” said Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt during a press conference.
While the law’s finer details are still being finalized, Tesfaye confirmed that the government is fully backing the initiative. The commission also suggested restricting smartphone use to children aged 13 and above, though it stopped short of calling for legal enforcement.
Rasmus Meyer, head of the commission, warned about the potential harm of unrestricted phone access, saying, “As soon as a phone enters a child’s bedroom, it takes up all the space… it risks destroying their self-esteem.”
Denmark joins a growing list of countries taking steps to limit screen time in schools, prioritizing students’ mental health and academic performance over digital distractions.
